Ukraine reveals secret strike squadron of civilian planes transformed into deadly reusable drone bombers that can drop 100Kg bombs 1200 miles deep
inside Russia

Date:
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:10:00 +0000

Description:
Ukraine revealed reusable Horynych bomber drones converted from civilian aircraft following a reported strike against Russian military infrastructure near Crimea.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Ukraine unveils reusable Horynych bomber drones built from civilian aircraft Secret drone squadron expands Ukraine's long-range strike capability significantly Modified ultralight aircraft now carry full-sized aerial bombs into combat Ukraine has publicly revealed what appears to be a previously undisclosed squadron of Horynych reusable bomber drones converted from civilian light aircraft for long-range strike operations.

Official images show at least ten modified aircraft carrying Soviet-designed OFAB-100-120 aerial bombs, suggesting the program has expanded beyond
isolated experimental missions. The aircraft are based on SkyRanger Swift and Nynja ultralight airframes originally developed for civilian recreational flying before undergoing military conversion. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Civilian aircraft converted into reusable bomber drones Engineers replaced conventional cockpit controls with remote piloting equipment and electro-optical cameras, allowing operators to guide the aircraft from the ground throughout bombing missions.

Each aircraft appears to carry one OFAB-100-120 bomb weighing approximately 100kg beneath the fuselage during long-range operations. You may like Ukraine wants to be the biggest drone and robot producer worldwide Ukraine turns a 55-year-old Antonov An-28 into a drone killing machine Price of record-breaking Ukraine AI FPV drone slashed to $500 as range increases sixfold to 68 miles

Unlike one-way attack drones that are destroyed after striking their objectives, these aircraft are designed to return safely for repeated
missions after releasing their payloads.

The appearance of at least ten drones together indicates the capability may have developed into a larger operational force rather than remaining a
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The absence of leaves on nearby trees suggests the images may have been taken several months before their public release.

If that assessment proves accurate, Ukraine may have maintained this reusable bomber fleet for an extended period before officially revealing its
existence. Reported strike focused attention on expanding deep attack capability According to Serhii Sternenko , adviser to Ukraine's Defense Minister, the aircraft participated in an overnight strike against an underground Russian logistics facility near Armyansk in occupied Crimea. What to read next Ukraine becomes the first country to scale long-distance remote-controlled interceptor drones Ex-Google CEO is key to Ukraine's most formidable drone weapon to date - $5000 Hornet can carry 5Kg of explosives on a 200Km, one-way trip Autonomous AI Russian 'Molniya' drone could be using
the Nvidia Jetson Orin platform by exploiting a common COTS loophole

Armyansk lies close to the Perekop Isthmus, an important land corridor
linking occupied Crimea with Russian-controlled territory and supporting military supply movements across the region.

These underground facilities serve as hardened storage and distribution sites for fuel, ammunition, and military equipment supporting Russian military operations.

The strike was reportedly carried out jointly by Ukraine's Air Force, the Lazar Group, and the Venom Unmanned Systems Center.

Neither Ukraine's military nor its Ministry of Defense has officially confirmed the number of aircraft involved or the extent of damage.

Independent assessments of the reported attack have not yet been published, leaving several key operational details unverified by outside observers.

Ukraine has previously used modified civilian aircraft in long-range strikes, including a June 2025 attack using an A-22 Foxbat towing an unpowered glider.

That glider carried a 100-kilogram warhead and struck a Shahed drone production facility in Alabuga, marking an earlier tandem strike configuration.

Ukraine has also used converted SkyRanger aircraft since 2024, although earlier sightings typically involved individual aircraft rather than a larger operational group.

Whether this expanded Horynych fleet can sustain repeated missions deep
inside Russian territory remains unverified without independent confirmation of results.

Ukrainian officials have offered no additional public timeline for when the broader Horynych program might expand its operations further significantly.

There is also no information on the size of the fleet or the extent of damage that it can cause. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/ukraine-just-revealed-a-secret-strike-squadron-o f-civilian-planes-transformed-into-deadly-reusable-drone-bombers-that-can-drop -100kg-bombs-1200-miles-deep-inside-russia


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